by Paul Myerberg, USA TODAY Sports

by Paul Myerberg, USA TODAY Sports

Alabama has three wins against teams currently holding a winning record: Virginia Tech (6-3), Texas A&M (7-2) and Mississippi (5-3). The Crimson Tide's last four victories ‚?? by a ridiculous score of 190-20 ‚?? have come against teams with a combined record of 9-25. (Or 9-21 against teams not named Alabama.)

Oregon holds wins against only two winning teams: Washington (5-3) and UCLA (6-2). The Crimson Tide and Ducks both played host to Tennessee; Alabama won 45-10, Oregon 59-14. Florida State has played three winning teams: Maryland (5-3), Clemson (8-1) and Miami (7-1) ‚?? the latter pair both in the top 10.

But here's the problem for FSU: it's all downhill from here. To close the season, the Seminoles play Wake Forest, Syracuse, Idaho and Florida ‚?? and then perhaps a rematch with wobbly Miami in the ACC title game. In comparison, Alabama still has LSU, Auburn and likely Missouri, three teams that should be ranked among the top 15. Oregon still has Stanford, Arizona, Oregon State and a rematch with UCLA or a date with fast-charging Arizona State.

- No. 12 Oklahoma State (No. 21). The Cowboys vault back into the nation's elite one-loss teams after smoothly taking apart Texas Tech on the road.

- No. 45 North Texas (No. 65). Not only does UNT own wins against Ball State and Rice ‚?? two of the most impressive non-AQ wins in the country ‚?? but the Mean Green also hung tight with Georgia and lost to Tulane by only a field goal.

- No. 61 Boston College (No. 80). The talent isn't quite there, but coach Steve Addazio and the Eagles' new staff have done a really nice job rallying the program after a few lean years.

Three big drops:

- No. 80 TCU (No. 69). It'll take three wins in a row to earn the Horned Frogs a berth to the postseason. Fiesta Bowl? TCU will take any bowl it can get.

- No. 75 Northwestern (No. 67). Five losses in a row, each worse than the last. The good news? It probably can't get any worse than Saturday.

- No. 72 Tulane (No.40). The Green Wave's stay among the top 50 lasted a week. These things happen when you lose to Florida Atlantic.

***

Paul Myerberg, a national college football writer for USA TODAY Sports, is on Twitter @PaulMyerberg.